Rhythm & Booze An online music webzine created by music lovers for music lovers.

31 July, 2014

Various Artists-Bob Dylan In The 80’s Volume One

Filed under: acoustic,alternative,americana,blues,compilation,country,folk,indie,R&B / Soul,Recorded Reviews,reggae,rock,rock n roll,roots,singer-songwriter — Tags: blitzen trapper, bob dylan in the 80's, Bonnie Prince Billy, Built To Spill, Carl Broemel, craig finn, Dawn Landes, Deer Tick, Elvis Perkins, Glan Hansard, Langhorne Slim, lucius, new album, Reggie Watts, various artists — willmunn @ 12:36

Here’s a somewhat strange concept, a covers album of Bob Dylan in what, most people would declare, the poets weakest era (Bob suffered both critically and commerically throughout the decade!!), in fact most music fans maybe fairly ignorant to the majority of Dylan’s 80’s output with the likes of Saved, Knocked Out Loaded and Infidels barely registering on all but the hardened Dylan fans radars.

However producers Jesse Lauter (Elvis Perkins, The Low Anthem) and Sean O’Brien (Dawes, Papa) have set about addressing the forgotten era of Dylan by collaborating with a number of artists and Dylan fans to showcase what you may have been missing.

The album not only is an awareness raising affair for Dylan of the 80’s but also set’s to help raise funds for a fantastic charity, Pencils Of Promise (an organization that builds schools and eductational opportunities in the developing world) by donating a portion of the proceeds of the sale of this album. a win-win situation where purchasers are introduced to some brilliant music and give to the needy.

The compilation itself features a number of big names from the aforementioned Elvis Perkins to Deer Tick, Slash, Craig Finn (Hold Steady) and Dawn Landes & Bonnie “Prince” Billy among others all delivering rousing performances and highlighting the pen of Bob Dylan in the forgotten decade.

The album open’s with a gloriously ramshackle, rustic rendition of Got My Mind Made Up (from Knocked Out Loaded) by Langhorne Slim & The Law who weld together boogie woogie piano, handclaps, strummed acoustics and a raw, rousing,  infectious vocal delivery that sets the mood brilliantly. From there on in we’re treated to a variety of styles and approaches as the various artists reintrupt to their own strengths.

Highlights come thick and fast, from the likes of the gorgeous blissed out soul/reggae version of Brownsville Girl (Knocked Out Loaded) by Reggie Watts, the aforementioned Craig Finn with a brilliant piano led (Springsteen-esque) Sweetheart Like You (Infidels), the twanging country of Ivan & Alyosha’s You Changed By Life (Shot Of Love Outtakes), the beautiful folk lament of Dawn Landes & Bonnie Prince Billy’s understated Dark Eyes (Empire Burlesque) and the glorious alternative indie and muted horn assisted Series Of Dreams (Oh Mercy Outtakes) by Yellowcard. Whilst there’s no way you can review this album without mentioning the wonderfully the ahem, more warped, percussion friendly version of Waiting To Get Beat (Empire Burlesque) by Tea Leaf Green and the insane take on Wiggle Wiggle (Under The Red Sky) by Aaron Freeman (Ween) & Slash, which quite frankly has to be heard to be believed.

The seventeen track affair (24 if you manage to track down the deluxe vinyl edition with the bonus download code) is intriguing, captivating and at times surreal journey through the lesser acclaimed works by the most important songwriter born of this world. And if, as the album’s title suggests this only the first volume, sign me up for the subsequent releases now!!

Rhythm & Booze Rating 10

 

6 May, 2014

Jules Rendell-The Lotus Bloom

Filed under: R&B / Soul,Recorded Reviews — Tags: jules rendell, New EP, The Lotus Bloom — willmunn @ 18:41

Jules Rendell is a singer-songwriter born in Birmingham but now residing in London, having emerged from The Royal Northern College Of Music, she’s racked up a number of impressive credits, performing with The Gorillaz at The Machester Opera House and performing with such artists as Keane, Beverley Knight, Aled Jones and lending her vocals to a Nicole Scherzinger single to name but a few.

Having honed her craft at a number of the the countries premier venues such as 02 Islington, XOYO, The Secret Garden Party and Manchester’s Academy, Rendell set about writing and recording her debut EP, The Lotus Bloom with acclaimed producer Goz-i-am (Emeli Sande, Gloria Gaynor, Beverly Knight).

The five track affair is a stunning showcase for the beautiful soulful vocal tones of Rendell as they delivers a gorgeous passionate croon over a mix of laidback R&B beats and piano grooves.

The EP opens with the stunning, Destination, a glorious statement of intent, as Jules instantly opens up her vocals to highlight her beautiful range whilst the backing band deliver a mix of all most gospel backing vocals, funk laden guitars and contagious beats encouraging the listener further. The title track, The Lotus Bloom again demands attention as the producer strips back the sound to a solo piano, the vocals, a shuffling drum beat and an omnipresent organ to create a gorgeous airy jazz ballad that really highlights that voice of Jules once more, whilst complimented beautifully by the backing harmonies.

Token Of My Love further enhances that light airy jazz feel with a sensational majestic, soulful croon along with a lovely tinkering piano solo, whilst One day is a short but very sweet closing number with the vocals of Jules and the aforementioned piano very much the star attraction of the sensual finale.

If you like your R&B full of big, brash beats and delivered by larger than life pop pretenders I suggest you look elsewhere, if however you like something more refined, more soulful and day I say it poetic Jules Rendell has released just the EP for you, The Lotus Bloom is a subtle yet enchanting EP by a performer who oozes soul and sophistication.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 8

www.julesrendell.co.uk

 

8 June, 2012

J-Sol – Alien

Filed under: hip hop / rap,R&B / Soul,Recorded Reviews — Tags: alien, J-Sol, new single — willmunn @ 05:46

Alien is the debut single by new up and coming R&B superstar in the making J-Sol, a young singer-songwriter fresh out of the acclaimed Brit School (Amy Winehouse, Jessie J, Adele, Kate Nash, etc) to date he’s performed with the likes of Wretch 22, Boyz 2 Men and Chipmunk. J-Sol also recently managed to get nominated for a Spirit Of London award through his achievement in music, alongside the likes of Tinchy Stryder, Jemaine Defore and Stacey Solomon.

J-Sol has racked up over 100,000 video views on youtube has already been described as the UK’s answer to Usher, as his reputation continues to grow even before the release of his debut single, Alien.

The track itself should see J-Sol’s profile rapidly rise to the top of the R&B game, the track opens with an infectious synth riff before the beats kick in and J-Sol unleashes his stunning soulful croon, sure their maybe a little bit of Usher in his delivery but the way the track is structured the use of electric guitar and the rapped outro combine, Alien brings to mind recent smooth-groove sensation Weeknd (which my opinion is serious high praise indeed).

I have to be honest I don’t really listen to that much R&B, but when a track hit……… (the same with any genre of music) and Alien smashes the ball out the park, it’s a stunning debut that showcases J-Sol to be one of the hottest urban prospects out there right now, this has everything, a killer vocal delivery, wonderous hook an arrangement that performers all their life have been searching for.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 10

http://www.jsolworld.com/

4 December, 2011

Various Artists-London Songs To Define The City

Filed under: compilation,folk,indie,pop,R&B / Soul,Recorded Reviews,reggae,rock — Tags: london, Time Out — willmunn @ 17:03

Time Out Magazine have come together with Universal Music to create a compilation that helps define the essence of our fine capitol, the CD comes with a handy 24 page musical history map pointing out all of the important historical sites that have helped create the musical world of London, helping to explain why it is still the most vibrant and important city here in the UK.

The twenty track affair kicks off with the effervescent Roxy Music with Do The Strands, a brilliant, attention grabbing opening salvo that’ll have you singing along and grooving to those funky horns before the end of the tracks duration. From there Time Out offer up a number of stone cold classics from The Kinks masterpiece, Waterloo Sunset to sax friendly Baker Street onto the evergreen summer anthem Itchycoo Park via Ralph McTell’s classic folk ode Streets Of London and Bowie’s early oddity The London Boys.

Time Out keep the mix fresh and interesting to modern music fans by throwing in a laidback slice of jazzy pop with London Skies by Jamie Cullum, nu-soul classic Warwick Avenue by Duffy and a perhaps more off the beaten track pick from Pulp in the shape of Bar Italia (Common People would haveot sure these  perhaps been more obvious).

And then just for good measure a few more obscure yet no less welcoming picks are lobbed into the varied yet intriguing mix, Piccadilly by Squeeze, the late great folk songstress Kirsty MacColl with Soho Square, Bert Jansch & John Renbourn with Soho and Caetano Veloso with London, London.

Now I’m not a hundred percent convinced that the tracks that have been picked really define London, in fact you’d probably need a massive box set to help define the city, however this is a wonderfully varied and at times eclectic attempt and it’s very hard to criticise a compilation that features both Chelsea Girls by Simple Minds and A Rainy Night In Soho by The Pogues.

London, Songs To Define A City is one of those collections that really does have something for everyone, it’s varied, fun and contains genuine sing-a-long classics, if you like music you’ll love London.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 8

 

10 May, 2011

Katrina Blue-The Day After

Filed under: dance,jazz,pop,R&B / Soul,Recorded Reviews — willmunn @ 13:20

Katrina Blue is a 25 year old  Nottingham based singer-songwriter, who combines her skills as a classically trained pianist and her love of music in general to create a stunning combination of pop. soul and jazz that has seen audiences across the UK captivated by her music, piano and gorgeous vocals. 

Katrina’s delicious blend of styles soon found the attention of Flourish Records, who promptly signed her up and have helped her record her debut EP, The Day After, a brilliant five track affair that showcases Katrina’s effortless blend of styles and wonderful voice.

The EP opens with the massively addictive statement of intent, Hypnotized, a hook-laden, piano fuelled pop classic, that begins with solo piano, finger clicks and Katrina’s dazzling vocals before developing into a massive full bodied pop monster complete with strings, electric guitars and a wonderfully contagious chorus. 

Don’t Change Me showcases a smouldering soulful jazz side to Katrina, light and airy instrumentation is used to focus her gorgeous vocals, whilst the chorus again features a delicious hook that fans of mature pop will find themselves showering with adulatation. Butterflies adds some wonderful vocal harmonizing to an already potent mix of soul and pop forming yet another effortless uplifting classic, whilst the EP concludes with two different remixes of Hypnotized, proving that Katrina even manages to hold her own on the dancefloor with her strong vocals and massive hooks combining effortlessly with a mix of electronica and drum & bass.

The Day After is a wonderful and invigorating introduction to a brilliant new talent, Katrina Blue is equally adept at pop as she jazz or soul, each of the five tracks on here, each have there own charm and character, whilst as a whole work to highlight the unique and ever infectious stylings of Katrina. If you like well constructed pop, jazz, soul or even vocal and strings driven drum & bass you’ll find something to love here.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 10

www.myspace.com/katrinablue

www.facebook.com/katrinablue

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